Everton’s U21 manager Paul Tait has hailed the “red hot” goalscoring form of former Linfield striker Braiden Graham, who continues to shine at the Premier League club.
Graham became Linfield’s youngest-ever player, making his debut aged 15 years and 137 days against Dungannon Swifts in March 2023, before making a move to England with the Toffees.
The 18-year-old has been in stunning form this season, scoring 17 goals in 24 appearances across all competitions at both U18 and U21 level – Graham has netted eight times in 14 U21 Premier League matches.
His performances caught the attention of senior manager David Moyes, who named Graham on the bench for last month’s FA Cup defeat against Sunderland, and many Everton fans have called for the teenager to get his chance in the first team.
Northern Ireland's Braiden Graham has impressed at Everton. (Photo by Cameron Smith/Getty Images )placeholder image
Northern Ireland's Braiden Graham has impressed at Everton. (Photo by Cameron Smith/Getty Images )
While Graham continues to impress, Tait believes he has the potential – and attitude – to become even better.
“He’s in really good form,” Tait told the clubs website. “He’s added consistency this season - he’s scored throughout but he’s red hot at the moment in terms of his goals.
"His all-around play has been good - there are still areas we are working on every day to get him better, but he has got the attitude and the desire to get better, so that puts him in a good place.”
Graham played 10 times in the Premiership for Linfield before sealing his move across the water and has also featured for Northern Ireland up to U19 level.
Blues manager David Healy, who is Northern Ireland’s record goalscorer, previously predicted Graham has what it takes to thrive on the international stage in the future.
"I have no doubt that in four or five years’ time when I'm coming to watch Northern Ireland that, hopefully, Braiden is leading the line - that's how highly I rate him,” said Healy in 2024. "Our academy staff and people around need to take great credit for that with the way they've nurtured him.
"Andy Waterworth and the JD Academy over the last couple of years have given him an opportunity to train on a daily basis and he has been in our environment since he made his debut last year. He's been an absolute credit.
"There's so much development still to come, which is a good thing - he's starting to sprout up a bit and he has all the attributes in his game to go and be a good player.
"We'll wish him well in the summer when he goes and I've no doubt in the next three, four or five years that this boy has the attributes to be a really good player, without putting too much pressure on him of course."